Studio Diary

[Jope]

20.11.07

DAY 30

Hangover. Farewell to the japanese delegation, close the cap and switch from rock to prog. In this final session at Astia-Studio in Lappeenranta we'll record all the vocals and mix the album.

We begun the day by importing the stuff we had recorded in Karhula. Huge problems in this territory. It took a lot of time but we managed to import enough stuff for Aleksi to begin his vocal duties.

Anette (The new nickname for Aleksi. We had a new vocalist about the same time that Nightwish had theirs...) nailed "Platform" and then it was time for HC-sauna.


(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

21.11.07

DAY 31

Still depressed and hungover. Heta Hyttinen arrived with her camera crew at the studio to interview Anssi for some TV-show.

During the day Aleksi sang "Symmetry" and "Deadline". Aleksi's voice wasn't in the best possible condition so we had to leave some parts of "Deadline" for later. Jope arrived at the studio for the rest of the week. We ended up the evening with a Guitar Hero tournament.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

22.11.07

DAY 32

Still problems with importing tracks. Computers fall down and we managed to break Aleksi's (Anette) laptop... Nice going

Aleksi sang leads for "Maze" and it rocked. The rest of the day was spent with mixing, misc. hassle and a little Guitar Hero.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

23.11.07

DAY 33

We begin the day with a friendly voi.. ehhm. Xcuseme, mixing while Anette (Aleksi) rests his voice. Then it was time to get on with the most sensitive song on the album "Waves". Aleksi sang a long, long time. A minor singers block but he managed to deliver what it takes. So beautiful.

During our "lunch" break we watched the "Silly 10 o'clock News" once again which we renamed as "Astia-News" because we're pretty sure that someone's broadcasting a totally different made-up news to the studio. What do you think about a question that the reporter asked a person: "How did it feel like to touch a pig?" It can't be just the Astia-effect!!!

In the evening the studio turned into a playground when "Smak" -guys came by for a visit. We continued rocking and Aleksi (Nette) growled "Heavy" on tape while the producer duo "gently" opened up their bottles (Jope had done the same for a few days already). (You lying bastard! -Der Translatör)

The next operation we did was quite peculiar. We listened through 70 takes of one guitar solo and constructed the final solo off those different takes. Which solo it is, remains a mystery... So here's a little riddle for you. This method worked out just great!!!

Jope and I designed the artwork for the album during a cigarrette break. Totally hammered naturally. It's gonna be simple but impressive, I guess... Anssi kept working and Malpractice dudes went upstairs to the EC to continue hydrating themselves (except Anetteleksi). At some point we played some of the new stuff for the "Smak" guys. The rest of the evening/night/morning is a bit hazy. Jaloviina (Noblebooze) with the "Smak" guys and maybe a little bit of Guitar Hero.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

24.11.07

DAY 34

Dunno dammit. Feeling confused. Living feels hard.

Anette (Lexi) doesn't feel like singing so we'll spend the day mixing. Anssi and Jope continued their work by mixing the solos while drummer/vocalist duo popped their drinks open and went upstairs for a Frank Zappa marathon. Anssi and Jope joined us later and it seemed that some drinking had occured downstairs as well. Soon Anssi called me to the control room where we did some preliminary drum mixing. Sounds great as usual! A tad of sample to the bass drum. Otherwise all natural. Rocks!

I left Anssi alone to do some work and went back upstairs to the EC with the rest of the Malpractice dudes. Traditional "joyhumoursketchjokefartlaughter" went on and drinks were consumed...

Anssi finished his day so the guys went to the strip bar via sauna. Whisky, please. The drummer shoves his last euros to the strippers panties. Restless and wild 'til the morning light...


(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

25.11.07

DAY 35

Day off. Jope goes home. Aleksi is feeling terrible on the EC couch. No rest for the drummer: "Rock" has rehearsals exceptionally without japanese girls. Bar. Party at Astia. This weeks line to pick up some girls: "Tonight I'll be your tiger".



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

26.11.07

DAY 36

Day off. "Rock". Basic stuff.


(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

27.11.07

DAY 37

Oh my, terrible hangover. This is slowly turning into a drinking diary... Well, Aleksi was on fire so we started working on "Fragments". We sang that one for a long time but the result was once again more than gratifying.

The day at work included also mixing and fixing. Total maximizing of hours available says I! Drummer/producer's super-terrible day ended with a surprising urge to clean and tidy the facilities upstairs. Unbelievable!



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

28.11.07

DAY 38

...and Astia-Studio went dark. We checked out the electricity center how long we have reserve power left for the control room. 60 seconds, whoopsie! Hurry up and turn off all equipment safely. During the 30 minute blackout we explored the 700 square meter studio facility with just our cell phone lights. Sneeks, exciting!

Before we started to work we returned empty bottles to the supermarket. The amount we got from the bottles was naturally 66,6 €...

While Anssi went to the control room, we started to set up the photo session. Soon Josa, Markus and Jope arrived and so was the whole band in the same place. It had been a while since the last time this miracle had happened. Anssi came upstairs and shot photos of the band drinking coffee at the kitchen table and hanging out on the EC couch. Let's see...

Back to the vocals. During the day we recorded vocals for "Deadline" and "Fragments" to mention a few. The bar was set high. The following conversation gives you a clue what was going on:

Control room: "That was pretty damn great!"
Aleksi: "Is it done then?"
Control room: "Of course not..."

General laughter.

While the band went upstairs, Anssi kept working. A minor party was set up again. Aleksi kept himself in singing condition though. Junior (Aleksi) and Junior Senior (Markus) went downstairs to bed at about 4 a.m. The producer duo went on 'til morning. The young ones don't seem to have the stamina...



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

29.11.07

DAY 39

Markus takes off in the afternoon. Toni, Jope, Aleksi and Anssi still at the studio. Today's plan includes harmonies and other vocals. "Deadline" brings stresslevel up to the limit. Once again we're behind in the schedule. Oh darnation. The lyrics of "Deadline" became harsh reality and there was no room for "joyhumoursketchjokefartlaughter". It was time to contact Spinefarm again and tell them we're running late...

Even though we managed to nail a lot of vocals, the day was so depressing that it's time to let you in on some of the new nicknames for the drummer/producer Paananen. Here's the Astia-edition: Toni-San, Topi the Tiger, ZZ Topi, The Tiger of Suonenjoki, Topi-San.

Anssi did some editing in the evening and we listened to the finished version of "Platform". Gotta tell you that this made the otherwise depressing day a bit more tolerable.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

30.11.07

DAY 40

While the drummer was still sound asleep. Jope had played his acoustic guitars to "Waves". I dragged myself to the breakfast table at 5:30 pm. I guess you can't call it breakfast anymore... Astia-effect.

Aleksi was already singing downstairs. He was recording some extra vocals for "Maze" and "Deadline" (once again) and we managed to change a few melody lines as well. Aleksi complained that his vocal chords were still a bit tight so Anssi came up with some weird lotion. Spray some of that stuff on his throat and back to singing business.

In the singing booth you could hear the "opening of the voice" but in the control room it was "voice of the opening"... Producer duo had begun celebrating friday while Anette (Lexus) was still singing. Then, right out of the blue something magical happened. Aleksi was singing like never before. He was nailing part after part very quickly!!! Greatness!!! He told us he was going to sing all the remaining vocals during that evening. We had our doubts but we promised to keep working as long as he wanted to.

"Joyhumoursketchjokefartlaughter" was back after a few days of depression. Aleksi rocked the hell out of himself for 15 straight hours!!! Last takes were recorded at 8 am. Anssi was practically sleeping at his desk while Jope was handling talkback. Aleksi danced and sang incredible takes on tape in the singing booth with a bottle in his hand. What the hell happened?!?

Anssi went to bed and the rest of us got the party started. This time we had a good reason to do so. Due to the Astia-effect the clock had no more meaning. Hulabaloo! We went to bed around noon.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

01.12.07

DAY 41

The final official day at the studio. The guys get up at 5:30 pm. Aleksi was in the best condition so he took a trip to the supermarket to refill the liquid storage. The producer duo snapped the sauna on. Aleksi returned with a pile of drinks and we retreated to the warmth of the sauna to get rid of our hangovers.

Anssi had already done some mixing and Jope nailed his backing vocals to "Waves". Aleksi and I went to the EC to get rid of the hangover. Next it was time to finish "Heavy" which had been named as "Deception". Topi, Jope and Anette -trio shouted some 80's choir stuff on the choruses. Hilarious activity.

All the vocals were done so as we had agreed it was time to build special Bailey's drinks to everyone. The mood was totally lifted through the roof! We spent the rest of the evening drinking and checking the mix being done. During the evening I came up with a joke specified for recording/mixing engineer Anssi Kippo:

"What is the name of the sport where you kick the recording artist in the head?"
"Kip-Poxing!!!"

Anssi appreciated the joke...

At the end of the day (very late at night...) we listened through the whole upcoming album and it sounded unbelievably great. Rocked on ten!

Then it was sauna time again. Anssi joined the Maroplacotice (Malpractice in japanese style) -company to celebrate the (almost) finished album. So much fun again. "Joyhumoursketchjokefartlaughter" by all means! We emptied the booze storage and had a great party at the EC until 10 in the morning.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

02.12.07

DAY 42

The studio was over and we all had huge hangovers. We started packing and getting ready for the real world. We packed my drum kit with Jope and stacked it in the Studio B to wait for transportation. We had a small snack upstairs and then it was time for goodbyes.

We left the "Beermuda triangle" and travelled with Aleksi in Jope's car to Kouvola where we took a train to Helsinki. The train ride was again very hysterical "Joyhumoursketchjokefartlaughter" and we felt really bad and messed up. The transition from the Astia-zone to the real world really takes its toll.

We stood at the railway station in Helsinki wondering what should we do now... I took the subway towards home, lay down on the couch, put on my headphones and listened to the raw mix of the album. I almost started to cry.



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)

[Jope]

ENDING STATEMENT

What the hell did just happen!? 42 day session is over and the Astia-effect is still upon me even though it's been a week since I left there. The hectic time during the studio was a real emotional rollercoaster. One day it was the best time of my life and on the other day it was the worst crap ever, anxiety and stress. After this inferno I'm glad to say that the end result is totally satisfying. A self produced album was a premeditated risk but afterwards it's easy to say it was well worth it. The band sounds better than ever!

We still have to do the final mixing, mastering, artwork and a million other things so the Malpractice -camp is going to stay busy for a while. We hope that the result will please YOU as much as it pleases us. This time we gave everything we got! Over and out from Malpractice. See you on tour!

MALPRACTICE : "TRIANGULAR" is coming out in March 2008



(somewhat translated from Toni's finnish version by Jope)